PAPILLION -- With the development of three experimental all-electric-drive Porsche Boxsters, Porsche announced today that it is taking another major step toward its plans to build electric-powered sports cars.

These test cars are an important part of what Porsche recently dubbed its Porsche Intelligent Performance initiative, a long-standing commitment by the German car company to continually combine greater efficiency with Porsche’s high performance, thus lowering fuel consumption and emissions.

In this practical test as part of the Stuttgart Model Region for Electromobility, the three electric Boxster research cars are being driven daily in order to provide insight into new electric drive components and new battery systems being developed by Porsche. In addition, these field tests are also intended to provide further findings on the infrastructure required for electromobility. Ultimately, the initiative will provide consumer insight into how future products must be designed and produced in order to meet customer expectations.

“We will definitely be offering electric sports cars in the future,” said Michael Macht, the President and CEO of Porsche AG. “But such a concept only makes sense if it offers performance and a cruising range comparable to that of a sports car today.”

Porsche has been committed to efficient motoring for a long time, thus helping to preserve the environment and save more of the world’s natural resources. For example, Porsche recently showed the spectacular 918 Spyder concept study earlier this year with a truly fascinating range of performance. This super sports car is capable of extremely low CO2 emissions and an estimated mileage figure of approximately 78 MPG, while developing over 600 horsepower for extreme performance.

On the racing front, The hybrid system of the 911 GT3 R Hybrid has been developed especially for competition on the track, with two 60 kW (82 hp) electric motors on the front axle boosting the 480 hp six-cylinder power unit fitted at the rear. Replacing conventional batteries is an electrical flywheel power storage system that delivers power to the front wheels – and recharges whenever the driver applies the brakes. The 911 GT3 R Hybrid has already proven its racing qualities in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring and will be competing in the Petit Le Mans race at Road Atlanta this October.

With the upcoming launch of the Cayenne S Hybrid, Porsche will soon offer its first production car in the range able to run under electric power alone. With maximum output of 380 hp, the Cayenne S Hybrid makes do in the NEDC cycle with just 8.2 ltr/100 km, and CO2 emissions reduced to a mere 193 g/km. This hybrid technology will also be featured in the future Panamera S Hybrid due to enter the market next year.